Leak-detector valve and attaching fitting



Feb. 16, 1932. c. M. ANDERSON 1,345,736

LEAK DETECTOR VALVE AND ATTACHING FITTING Filed Aug. 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb, 16, 1932. c. M. ANDERSON LEAK DETECTOR VALVE AND ATTACHING FITTING Filed Aug. 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES owns it. ANDERSON, or wrsoousnr max-ammo]; varva am: unsure rn'mla Application filed August 19, 1929. Serial No. 887,043.

10 circulation of the liquid wit in the tank and fitting up to the point of discharge. Another object of the invention is to provide a valve and attachment means which enable the valve to be supported in close relation to 1B the liquid within the tank so that the distance which the liquids travel in passin from the tank to the valve is very slight. K further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the circulation of the liquid 20 in the tank will extend to the liquid embraced within the walls of the vat at the point of discharge, the circulation bein the natural circulatory current of the liquid in the vat during the holding period and while the valve 2 is closed.

Another object is to provide a flange fitting which enables a valve to be supported ad a cent the wall of the vat and means within the valve for preventing the escape of liquid into to the outlet passage beyond the valve. A further object of the invention is to provide a valve with grooves extending part-way along the sides of the valve plug and correspondin grooves extending part-way on the inner si es of the valve casing, whereby the ooves of the plug and casing may be iought into alinement, when the valve is turned so as to form one continuous drain passage which will prevent the escape of liquid around the valve plug. ()ther objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fi re 1 is a view in elevation of a valve and ange attachment embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view, the section being taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 1.

Fi 3 is a vertical sectional view, the section eing taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 1.

ig. 4 is a view in elevation of the valve plu removed from the valve casing.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the valve casing.

Fig). 6 is a broken sectional view the section eing taken as indicated at hne 6, of Fi 7, and

Fig. 7 is a plan sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 7 of Fig. 3.

In the illustration given, A represents the wall of. a vat, B an attachment fitting havin flanges embracin the walls of the vat, and represents a lea -detector valve supported upon attachment fitting B and in close relation thereto.

In the illustration 'ven, the walls A are of the thick insulate type which are commonly employed in sanltary milk vats. A portion'of the wall is removed to enable attachment fitting B to be secured in position.

The attachment fitting B is shown provided with an outer flange 1 and an inner flange 2 and connected to outer flange 1 at an intermediate point, a horizontal flange 3 which preferably is somewhat fan-shaped. Flange 1 is centrally apertured to provide an outlet or throat 4. Connectin flan e 2 to flanges 1 and 3 is a somewhat unne -shaped wall 5 having its side inclined inwardl toward outlet opening or throat 4. By t ese means a large open-mouthed discharge opening 6 is provided which has its side walls convergin toward the throat 4. Bracing the wall 5 an flanges 2 and 3 are web supports 7 which are preferably cast integrally with the flan es 1, 2 and 3 The bottom flange 3 is pre erably equipped with a stepped-u forward flange portion 8. Bi 'dly secure to flange 1 are bolts 9 which ave threaded ends 10 extending forwardly for a purpose hereinafter described. The rear flangeor disk 1 is also preferably provided with a recessed annular portion 11.

The leak-detector or plu valve 0 is provided with a casing 12 w ich is equipped with lateral flanges 13. Flanges 13 have an annular projecting portion 14 which is received within the annular recess 11 to form therewith a seal. The flanges 13 are apertured to receive bolts 10 and are secured thereon rigidly by means of nuts 15. Valve casing 12 is provided with a tubular outlet extension 16 which is preterably exteriorly threaded for connection to other pipes. -A

assage 17 extends through the valve casing 12, valve plug 19, when in open position, and extension 16. The valve casing 12 is provided centrally with a conical seat 18 which is adapted to receive the valve plug 19. The inner walls or seat 18 of the valve are preferably provided with rooves 20 which extend from the lower end 0 the valve a short distanceupwards. As shown, more clearly in Figs. 2 and 5, a portion of the upper rim 21 of the valve casing is cut away on one side so as to enable a pin 22, with which the valve plu 19 is equipped to move from one point of idle casing to a point diametrically opposite. The uncut-awa portion of the rim provides stops 23 which prevent the complete circumferential travel of pin 22.

Valve plug 18 is equipped with axr operating handle 24 which may be secured to the plug in any suitable manner. The body of the valve is conical in shape so as to fit within seat 18, and is provided with a central flow passe e. At its lower side, valve plug 19 is provided with a tubular-recess 25 and is preferabl provided centrally with a'threaded 0 ening 26, adapted to receive screw 27. Silrcw 27 is referably provided with a winghandle or t umb-key 28 which is provided with an inner annular flange. Grooves 29 are formed on the outer surface of plug 19 and preferably extend along the central portion of the plug.

A circular disk 30 is secured between the flange of'the key 28 and the lower portion of the valve-casing 12. A portion of the disk is cut away, at 31, to permit 1i uid. in the recess 32 at the lower portion oi the casing to escape. The disk 30 is recessed to receive a pin 33 which may be secured fast within the recess in any suitable manner.

v In assemblin the parts of the apparatus, the fitting B is l irst secured in position within walls A. In order topermit the insertion of fitting B, a portion of the vertical wall near the bottom of the vat is cut away at an angle, through which opening the forward portion of the fitting may be inserted so that the vertical wall is embraced between flanges 1 and 2, and so that the horizontal flange 3 rests upon the bottom wall of the vat. The flanges 13 of the valve-casing 12 are then secured to the flange 1 of the fitting B by means of bolts 10 and nut 15, the extension or projecting portion 14 being received within the recess 11 of the flange 1 so as to form a seal. Valve plug 19 is placed within valvecasing 18 and the pin 33 of disk 30 is received within the recess 25 of plug 19. The screw 27 of thumb-key 28 is then screwed into threaded recess 26 of plug 19 so as to secure the plate 30 against the lower end of the valve-casing 12.

In the operation of the valve, the grooves 20 of valve-casing 12 and the grooves 29 of valve-plug 19 are so disposed that when the valve is turned to closed position the grooves are alined on each side of the valve opening and serve to form a continuous drain pas sage through which any liquid escaping by the openin of the valve-casing and around the lug will be drained to compartment 32 in t e lower portion of the valve-casing.

-When the valve is in open position, the

grooves are, in the illustration shown, not in allnement. If desired, however, grooves may be caused to coincide to form a continuous 4 drip passage, when the valve is in open position. The operator is able to determine when the valve is in closed position or in open position by the contact of pin 22 with stops 23. In the preferred construction, disk 30 has the portion. 31 cut away at such a point that the disk will cover the outlet grooves 20, when the valve is in closed position. It will be observed that the pin 33 connects the valve-plug 19 and the disk 30 so as to cause the two parts to move together. The liquid collecting within the compartment 32 may escape through the outlet provided by cuttin awa the portion 31 of the disk 30.

ith t e parts assembled, as shown in the drawings, it will be observed that the valvecasing is brought substantially flush with the wall of the vat and that the discharge-opening with which the valve is connected is very short and has connecting side walls flaring stantially through the discharge opening.

By this construction, dead ends, i. e., zones in which comparatively little circulationcan take place, are substantially eliminated. Furthermore, growth of bacteria in the passage beyond the valve is' prevented by drain grooves 20 .and 29 which carry away any milk or other liquid escaping past the opening of valve-plug 19.

It will be observed that the passage-way 17 which extends through the valve, is not perpendicular to the vertical axis of valveplug 19, but extends on an angle or diagonal therethrough. This enables the inclined wall of the conical valve to be brought into alinement or flush with the outer wall of the vat, i. e., substantially at right angles to the discharge openin while at the same time the passage-way 1 is brought into horizontal alinement with the discharge opening. Thus 'a continuous horizontal discharge passage is secured without having formed an intervening idle pocket in the line to which circulation would not extend.

The valve and fitting construction are particularly adapted for use with sanitary 'vats which are em loyed for pasteurization of milk, and in wliich circulation of the milk is desired in every possible part of the vat and discharge apparatus,

It will be observed that many changes can be made without departing from the s irit of the invention. For example, the wal s of the vat may be shaped somewhat like flange 5 and thus permit dispensing with some of the inner flanges of the fitting B.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understandin only, and no unnecessary limitations shoul be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character set forth, a sanitary vat having a discharge-opening and the wall of said vat cut away near said dis charge-opening so as to provide a dischargepasa through said wall having an enargeg mouth and taperin in horizontal and vertical section toward sa1d discharge-opening, an outlet pipe connected with said discharge-opening, and means associated with said pipe for controlling the flow of liquid therethrou h.

2. In a evice of the character set forth, a sanitary vat provided with a dischar e-opening and having a somewhat funne -shaped passage through its wall near said opemng, said passa e having a mouth flared in horizontal section and a valve supported adjacent said opening and controlling the flow of liquid from said opening.

3. In a device of the character set forth,

a' sanitary vat provided with a dischargeopening, a fitting equi ped with flanges engaging the wall of said vat and havin sides inclined in a horizontal plane toward t e dischargeopening, an outlet pipe connected to said discharge-opening, and means on said outlet pipe for controlling the flow of liquid therethrou h.

4. In a evice of the character set forth, a sanitary vat provided with a dischargeopening, a fitting provided with flanges engaging the' wall of said vat, a passageway between flanges of said fitting having an enlarged mouth and sides converging in a horizontal plane toward said discharge-opening, a discharge-pipe associated with said discharge-opening, and means thereon for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough.

5. In a device of the character set forth, a sanitary vat having an outlet, a fitting equipped with flanges adapted to engage the wall of said vat and having a passageway with sides inclined in a horizontal plane toward said discharge-opening, a valve having a passage alined with said outlet, and means for'securing said valve adjacent said outlet. 73

6.' In a device of the character set forth, a sanitar vat provided with a discharge opening an having its wall cut away near said opening to provide a tapering passage, and a conical plug-valve supported substantially 75 flush against said wall and having an inclined passage therethrough, said passage being in orizontal alinement with said discharge openin In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of Au st, 1929.

CHARLES ANDERSON. 

